A National Framework for Language Learning

1. A National Frameworkfor Language Learning ACTFL Guidelines National Standards – the “5 Cs”

2. ACTFL Proficiency Levels

3. How long does it take? • If oral proficiency is our ultimate goal, how do we get there? • Classroom hours: it seems that under ideal circumstances in takes a minimum of 720 contact hours! • How many hours a week do you see your students? How many weeks per year? • So what can we really expect of our students?

4. THE 5Cs National Standards for Foreign Language Learning

5. What are the National Standards? • The Standards: • outline goals that help students to become proficient users of the language • help them to learn about the culture(s) • help them learn how culture and language are intertwined.

6. National Standards – Foundation • Foundation for the Standards: • Language and communication are the heart of the human experience. The United States must educate students who are equipped linguistically and culturally to communicate successfully in a pluralistic American society and abroad. This imperative envisions a future in which ALL students will develop and maintain proficiency in English and at least one other language, modern or classical. Children who come to school from non-English-speaking backgrounds should also have opportunities to develop further proficiencies in their first language.

7. National Standards – Assumptions 1. Competence in more than one language and culture enables people to • communicate with other people in other cultures in a variety of settings, • look beyond their customary borders, • develop insight into their own language and culture, • act with greater awareness of self, of other cultures, and their own relationship to those cultures, • gain direct access to additional bodies of knowledge, • participate more fully in the global community and marketplace.

8. National Standards – Assumptions 2. All students can be successful language and culture learners, and they • must have access to language and culture study that is integrated into the entire school experience, • benefit from the development and maintenance of proficiency in more than one language, • learn in a variety of ways and settings, and • acquire proficiency at varied rates.

9. National Standards – Assumptions 3. Language and culture education is part of the core curriculum, and it • is tied to program models that incorporate effective strategies, assessment procedures, and technologies, • reflects evolving standards at the national, state, and local levels, and • develops and enhances basic communication skills and higher order thinking skills.

10. National Standards – Goal Areas • Communication • Cultures • Connections • Comparisons • Communities

11. National Standards – Goal Areas COMMUNICATIONCommunicate in Languages Other Than English • Standard 1.1: Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions • Standard 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics • Standard 1.3: Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.

12. National Standards – Goal Areas CULTURESGain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures • Standard 2.1: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied • Standard 2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied

13. National Standards – Goal Areas CONNECTIONSConnect with Other Disciplines and Acquire Information • Standard 3.1: Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language • Standard 3.2: Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures

14. National Standards – Goal Areas COMPARISONSDevelop Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture • Standard 4.1: Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own • Standard 4.2: Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.

15. National Standards – Goal Areas COMMUNITIESParticipate in Multilingual Communities at Home & Around the World • Standard 5.1: Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting • Standard 5.2: Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.

16. National Standards – Discussion • As a teacher of foreign languages: • What do these Standards mean to you? • Do you incorporate them into your classes? • How? • What challenges do you face in implementing these Standards? ACTFL World Languages 21st Century Skills Map